Enhancing Genetic Gains in Grain Yield and Efficiency of Testing Sites of Early-Maturing Maize Hybrids under Contrasting Environments.

The major challenges of maize production and productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) include infestation, recurrent drought, and low soil nitrogen (low N). This study assessed the following: (i) accelerated genetic advancements in grain yield and other measured traits of early-maturing maize hybrids, (ii) ideal test environments for selecting early-maturing multiple-stress tolerant hybrids, and (iii) high-yielding and stable hybrids across multiple-stress and non-stress environments. Fifty-four hybrids developed during three periods of genetic enhancement (2008-2010, 2011-2013, and 2014-2016) were evaluated in Nigeria, The Republic of Benin, and Ghana under multiple stressors ( infestation, managed drought, and Low N) and non-stress environments from 2017 to 2019.

Combining Abilities and Heterotic Patterns among Early Maturing Maize Inbred Lines under Optimal and -Infested Environments.

Information on the general combining ability of inbred lines and the specific combining ability of hybrid combinations is crucial for successful hybrid development. The objectives of this study were to (i) determine the combining ability of thirty selected early maturing maize inbred lines under -infested and optimal environments, (ii) classify the inbred lines into heterotic groups using the general combining ability effects of multiple traits (HGCAMT) and the single nucleotide polymorphism genetic distance (SNP- GD) methods, and (iii) assess the effectiveness of the heterotic grouping methods. One hundred and fifty single-cross hybrids were generated from the thirty inbred lines using the North Carolina Design II mating method.

Growth and Toxigenicity of on Resistant and Susceptible Peanut Genotypes.

Aflatoxin contamination poses serious health concerns to consumers of peanut and peanut products. This study aimed at investigating the response of peanuts to Aspergillus flavus infection and aflatoxin accumulation. Isolates of A.

Genetic control of earliness in cowpea ( (L) Walp).

Global climate change is expected to further intensify the already harsh conditions in the dry savannah ecological zones of sub-Saharan Africa, posing serious threats to food and income security of millions of smallholder farmers. Breeding cowpea for improved earliness could help minimize this risk, by ensuring that the crops complete their lifecycle before the cessation of rainfall. In this study, we crossed two sets of cowpea lines showing contrasting phenotypes for earliness in terms of days to 50% flowering (DFF).

Welfare effect of organic fertilizer use in Ghana.

Most soils in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are substantially degraded and are in need of restoration to enhance sustainable food production. This is a harder problem given that population is projected to increase with a corresponding increase in demand for food. Organic fertilizer can improve soil health by reducing the rate of nutrient leaching.